The NHL thread

[CFH]

Not sure if it belongs in this thread, but these things always gets me thinking.

I used to play handball (look it up) as a kid, and coming from a rather small town we were pretty much the same 10-12 boys on the team every year. One day at practice - we must have been around 13-14 - during warm up, one of our players just collapsed. He freaking became blue in the head, and watching a good friend like that is easily the scariest thing I have ever experienced. 10-12 years later and I can still see that face. He didn't make it to the hospital. They found out afterwards that he had been born with a certain heart condition, but some things just go unnoticed until it's too late, I guess.

Anyway, my heart is with Cherepanov's family right now.

I've read some unconfirmed reports that he was struck in the chest in an accidental collision with his teammate (former NHL star Jaromir Jagr), they say that Jagr caught him with an elbow to the chest, but they're all from Russian sources and thus unsubstanciated.

[Mikkel_K]

I've read some unconfirmed reports that he was struck in the chest in an accidental collision with his teammate (former NHL star Jaromir Jagr), they say that Jagr caught him with an elbow to the chest, but they're all from Russian sources and thus unsubstanciated.

Considering the pain this must inflict on Jagr, I really hope this is not true.

[amat]

Sharks are looking fucking awesome right now, 4 unanswered to take it from Colombus and anytime we get in their zone we are getting shots on goal, well oiled machine

[CFH]

Sharks are looking fucking awesome right now, 4 unanswered to take it from Colombus and anytime we get in their zone we are getting shots on goal, well oiled machine

The Sharks will be judged on what they can do in the playoffs, that they can dominate the regular season is a given. I think, depending on Detroit, they are the favorites to win it this year, but I've said that the last three years as well.

[amat]

Yes but it's going to hard for me to hold an air of skepticism around the team when I see how well they actually can play.

[amat]

The Bluejackets game was just awesome because of how unstoppable they looked immediately after going down a goal, that seemed to trigger the offense and they were getting shots from everybody, 4 different players scored goals including Michalek which was also big. So excited.

[killersheep]

Ok kids, I'm starting a fantasy hockey league on yahoo. let me know if any of ya'll are interested.

[CFH]

Ok kids, I'm starting a fantasy hockey league on yahoo. let me know if any of ya'll are interested.

I'm in, but you already knew that.

[amat]

yes of course

[wesrman]

Go Pens.

I've officially had the transition from angry year end to hopeful new season again and again Leaf fan...to the Pens.

Yea I know. Wesrman and likely a few others will call me a bandwagon jumper, but the truth is, the Leafs consistant bad management and bad trades and bad performance, in the richest market in Canada has sent me packing.

LOL we made the playoffs 9 years in a row, then we have 4 bad years and everyone wants to jump ship. Just be thankfull you werent around for the 80s.

BTW how did i miss this thread

[CFH]

Go Pens.

I've officially had the transition from angry year end to hopeful new season again and again Leaf fan...to the Pens.

Yea I know. Wesrman and likely a few others will call me a bandwagon jumper, but the truth is, the Leafs consistant bad management and bad trades and bad performance, in the richest market in Canada has sent me packing.

LOL we made the playoffs 9 years in a row, then we have 4 bad years and everyone wants to jump ship. Just be thankfull you werent around for the 80s.

BTW how did i miss this thread

1967.

St. Louis made the playoffs something like 20 years in a row, but they never won anything. I'm not trying to pick on you or the Leafs, I'm just saying that making the playoffs is not the only thing a team should strive for. Vancouver consistently made the playoffs under Burke, but they never had a chance to get beyond mid-rounds and, despite the propaganda we were fed, they were never a team that could contend for the cup.

However, as a Canucks fan I can't really talk shit about other teams histories and failures, even the Leafs.

At least Toronto is doing what needs to be done, a full-scale rebuild. Schenn is going to be great one day, and Toskala is as well. I hate Wilson though, he's terrible at developing young players and his hiring sure looks suspicious considering all the Burke rumours (they're best buddies). I hope for your sake wesrman that the Leafs don't hire Burke and that they go in a different direction. He's an incredibly overrated GM. The state he left Vancouver in in regards to the future of the team speaks to his short-sighted approach.

[killersheep]

yes of course

Clear out your inbox a bit.

[CGM]

After 20+ years in Toronto, I still haven't managed to form any kind of allegience to the Maple Leafs, thank God. Canucks are still my team.

I don't follow the sport too closely, but I like it when the playoffs get rockin. The best hockey often comes in the first round of the playoffs, when you get the rivalries. Calgary v Edmonton used to have some great series in the 80s.

Best playoff run I ever saw? Edmonton a year or two after trading Gretzky, Messier was still with them. They were down 3-1 to Winnipeg in the first round, and playing like absolute shit. Then they somehow managed to find their old form and blew everyone away, not losing a single game the rest of the way.

Best Team I ever saw? Canadiens of the 70s, who one year went an entire season and only lost 8 games.

[TheChosenOne]

the ottawa senators is my
team

[CFH]

the ottawa senators is my
team

IMO you guys should pick up Khabibulin if possible.